HONG KONG — At Disney+ Originals Preview held Thursday at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Korean content material emerged because the simple star of the present, drawing thunderous applause and reactions from round 400 journalists representing 14 nations, together with Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brazil, Japan and the USA.
The environment was electrical and felt extra like a Ok-pop live performance than a company showcase. The second Korean titles had been introduced, the corridor burst into cheers, underscoring Korea’s rising affect in Disney’s international content material technique.
The joy hit its peak when actor Ji Chang-wook, a lead actor of “The Manipulated,” stepped on stage. His look turned the venue right into a sea of flashing cameras and loud cheers, bringing again reminiscences of Hollywood stars visiting Seoul within the early 2000s. Each transfer and phrase from Ji drew applause, whereas teaser clips that includes different Korean stars set off loud cheers throughout the room.
Fellow Korean stars Hyun Bin, Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young and Lee Dong-wook obtained the identical power and pleasure once they appeared onstage to introduce their upcoming Disney+ works.
IU, left, and Byeon Woo-seok in a scene from upcoming MBC TV drama “Good Crown,” which may also be launched onDisney+ / Courtesy of Walt Disney Firm
IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s upcoming romance drama, “Good Crown,” obtained among the most enthusiastic reactions of the day, regardless of the actors solely showing in a prerecorded video. Set in a fictional Korea with a constitutional monarchy, the drama, scheduled to be launched within the first half of 2026, explores romance between royalty and a strong businesswoman.
Southeast Asian reporters highlighted Korea’s affect within the area, noting that Ok-pop, dramas, films and celebrities are actually among the many most influential content material of their house nations.
“If we don’t cowl these tales, our readers lose curiosity,” an Indonesian journalist mentioned.
“Korean entertainers captivate our followers, particularly feminine followers, with heat, pleasure and a outstanding number of genres. On-line, Indonesian followers are among the many most energetic supporters of Korean content material wherever.”
When Luke Kang, president of Walt Disney Firm Asia Pacific, shared the just lately introduced strategic partnership bringing Korean streaming service Tving’s Korean lineup to Japanese viewers, the announcement was met with notably sturdy applause.
Kang additionally repeatedly referenced Korea as a linchpin of Disney’s international content material ambitions and famous the fast progress of Korean drama viewership in Latin America, particularly Brazil and Mexico.
From left, actors Lee Se-young, Ju Ji-hoon and Shin Min-a attend the Disney+ Originals Preview occasion to introduce their upcoming Disney+ collection, “The Remarried Empress,” in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Firm
Eric Schrier, president of Disney Tv Studios and International Unique Tv Technique at Disney Leisure, spoke straight about what makes Korean content material stand out.
“Korean dramas and creators have a novel skill to faucet into international themes, rooted in humanity and heat, mixed with ingenuity and wonderful filmmaking high quality,” he mentioned.
Anticipation additionally grew for unscripted tasks like BTS members Jimin and Jungkook’s actuality journey present “Are You Positive?!” Season 2 and the survival collection “Battle of Fates,” which brings collectively 49 fortune-tellers in skill-based challenges. These titles are anticipated to additional enhance the worldwide attain of Korean leisure.
The occasion additionally showcased main Japanese tasks, together with an bold collaboration with sport legend Hideo Kojima on an animated adaptation of his hit sport Demise Stranding, together with a robust lineup of animations aimed toward international audiences. Korean content material, nevertheless, captured a lot of the highlight, signaling the continued energy of its cultural affect worldwide.
